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404 S Wells St, Chicago
(773) 343-6872
Recent Reviews
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I visited this establishment yesterday for Mother's Day. I wasn’t aware that the restaurant closes and reopens for dinner at 5 PM, so we arrived a little early and weren’t able to enter. This was inconvenient, especially since my mother uses a cane and we had to walk all the way back to the car.
Once we were inside, the views were very nice. However, the menu was quite limited and exotic — I didn’t find much that appealed to me, so we ended up ordering burgers, which were actually good. They cost $25 and came with fries. We also tried the catfish dip, which was unfortunately nasty we ended up just eating the crackers that came with it. I mentioned it to our waitress, and she had the manager remove it from our bill, which I appreciated.
Overall, the service was great — possibly because it was a slower time when we visited. While I respect that it’s a Black-owned restaurant and the ambiance was pleasant, I wouldn’t return unless the menu changes to offer more variety.
We chose to dine at Etc. for Mother’s Day, excited to support a Black-owned business and experience something new. Paid parking was conveniently available right out front. However, our arrival didn’t make the best first impression—we weren’t greeted properly, and a staff member appeared to be on her phone as we entered. Luckily, our waitress, Precious, came over shortly afterward and took care of us from there.
We started with appetizers: the fried green tomatoes, the fried crackers with fish dip, and three espresso martinis. The fried crackers were good —crispy and flavorful. The fish dip they came with was just okay. The fried green tomatoes were topped with a sweet drizzle that didn’t quite work for our taste. Unfortunately, the espresso martinis didn’t hit the mark either—lacking the bold espresso flavor and balance we were expecting.
For entrées, each member of our party tried something different. One person ordered the Suya chicken with jollof rice which was a letdown. The rice was bland and lacked depth, and the chicken was just okay. Another had the steak and fries—the steak was cooked well, but the fries were average. The pasta dish was enjoyed by the person who ordered it. The lamb chops, while cooked to the right temperature, were tough. The mashed potatoes that accompanied them were a highlight—creamy and flavorful—though the asparagus on the plate was quite bland.
On a positive note, the ambiance and decor of the restaurant were lovely. The space had a stylish, inviting feel that set the right tone for what we hoped would be a memorable meal.
Our total came to $420 for four people. We drove an hour to get there, hoping for an outstanding experience, and while we appreciated the atmosphere and the opportunity to support a Black-owned business, the food and overall vibe didn’t quite live up to our expectations.
I've dined at ETC three times. The ox tails, fish and duck ravioli all were amazingly good. The wait staff is professional and ensured my tables were taken care of.
I can't wait to check out their new brunch menu!
Good food, good service and great atmosphere. Very pricey and they have automatic 20% tipping.
Outside of a hiccup that happened in the kitchen that delayed our main courses, this was an amazing dining experience- everything in the menu is outstanding. Conner, our server, was engaging, knowledgeable and down to earth. I highly recommend ETC!
We attended this restaurant last night to celebrate an early Mother’s Day outing and I was highly disappointed. The biscuits were soft but falling apart like crumbs. The lamb was bland. The whole fish was hot but bland, it was just a fish with toppings. The oxtail and grits was a very small portion size with scarce meat pieces in it. And fried green tomatoes were awful and tasted like cooking grease with no seasoning to them. The drinks were $21 for a very small glass size. We left disappointed especially after paying almost $500 for unseasoned food. It seemed like everyone was playing over their food with their forks when looking around. It was a nice ambiance but terrible food selections and taste. Hopefully you all get better over time.
My review is a few months late so the menu may have changed but on my visit I had a Chicken type pasta and a drink called Who the **** is Tommy. I also had Deviled Eggs to start with. The pasta was just ok and the deviled eggs were good. It was actually my first time trying Caviar and I enjoyed it. The drink was alright.
Service: The service was great. Everyone was pleasant.
Overall: For my visit at the time, nothing wowed me. Everything was just ok. I said then I didn’t have to return and have yet to. If the opportunity presents itself and I return with a better food experience, I will definitely update this review!
First time at ETC and I loved it. The decor gave me CitizenM NYC vibes—modern and artsy without trying too hard. Service was laid-back and super friendly. I had the deviled eggs (great) and got a sneak peek of a seafood dish that’s not on the menu yet—big win. Finished with an espresso martini (with mezcal!) and it totally hit.
I love supporting black business so I was excited to check this place out and I must say upon entering the restaurant the ambiance was beautiful and the staff were pleasant. However, I was very underwhelmed with my appetizers. I ordered the catfish dip and fried green tomatoes. The dip was anything but a dip it was hard and cold, while attempting to dip withthe crackers provided with the fish immediately broke when attempting to dip.I liked the smokiness of the menu item but it lacked flavor, like it was missing something. The fried green tomatoes were lack luster as well as I have never needed to cut into a tomato like a steak, and although the breading was cooked perfectly on the outside it still lacked flavor and the inside again was hard to cut through. I flagged down the chef to congratulate him on this opening and to also notify him of the discrepancies with my order and he was thankful but there was no offer to remedy the dishes which is what I expected, but not all service is the same so I didn’t even bother to order an entree. I will say that I enjoyed the cocktails, they were made perfectly. If I were to come back for anything it would be the cocktails and bar staff.
Took my mom here for a birthday brunch and had a blast. Food, service, vibes all excellent. Worth a trip.
Restaurantji Recommends
First off, major props to Micaiah, who was a fantastic server—warm, attentive, and really made the evening better despite what seemed like a slightly understaffed night.
The food had its ups and downs. The chicken skins with beef tartare and the crackers served with the catfish dip were both extremely salty, which overwhelmed the more subtle flavors of the tartare and the dip. Those dishes in particular could benefit from a refresh—maybe a bit of citrus, fresh herbs, or other brightness to balance things out. The Brussels sprouts salad had potential but also needed a touch more: citrus, herbs, and a bit of pepper could’ve taken it up a notch.
On the positive side, the lamb dish was excellent—really unique and flavorful—and all of the cocktails we tried were well-executed and enjoyable.
I want to be really intentional in saying this: I wish more diners gave new restaurants a little grace. Too often, people walk in expecting the polish of a spot that’s been open for years—or the magic of a chain bringing in a pre-assembled all-star team. But ETC is doing the real work of building something from scratch. It’s early days, and it’s unfair to judge them like they’ve already hit their stride.
I’d love to see platforms like OpenTable weigh reviews differently in a restaurant’s first few weeks. First impressions matter, but so does context—and this place deserves a chance to grow into its full potential.
All that said, I’ll absolutely be back. I’m excited to see where the restaurant goes as it matures, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
We had high hopes for this place after all the positive publicity. Unfortunately, we left extremely disappointed. The core issue? Value. At this price point, execution should be flawless. It wasn’t.
We were a party of four. We split a few appetizers and a dessert, and each had our own entrée. Right from the start, things went downhill: the special bourbon my friend wanted for his old fashioned was unavailable. So was the cacio e pepe—which, for any vegetarians in your group, means you’re basically out of luck. The only remaining options were a Brussels sprouts salad and a couple of side dishes.
Among the appetizers, the deviled eggs were the standout. Absolutely delicious!!! But the biscuits with pimento cheese were just okay; the biscuits tasted like they’d been sitting around for a while. We were promised four fried green tomatoes, but only got three, so I can’t really weigh in on those either.
For mains, my chicken dish with jollof rice was decent but unremarkable. The others in my party who ordered lamb and salmon enjoyed their dishes a bit more. But none of us were wowed. Cocktail-wise, the mezcal drink was solid, but the espresso martini with mezcal was a miss. Dessert was a letdown! Skip the chocolate cake.
There’s an automatic 20% gratuity included, which our server definitely earned. He was attentive, professional, and apologetic. But we voiced our disappointment because, frankly, $500 for a dinner that felt so uninspired is just not acceptable. The food did not live up to the price. There’s a serious disconnect between the experience they’re offering and what they’re charging.
This place is tucked away with little evening foot traffic, which means the food needs to be unforgettable. Sadly, it was forgettable at best. We won’t be back. I honestly felt like we were robbed!
****This review is for you if you love the details and the full run down of the menu ***
Okay brunch besties, let me spill the mimosa on this adorbs little gem of a spot that served up a whole vibe and a whole lotta deliciousness!
First things first—can we talk about the vibe?! The staff was so sweet, and I was lowkey obsessed with their aprons. Like, where can I buy one?! They really set the tone—cute, cozy, and casually classy. Service was as warm as the cinnamon roll (more on that in a sec 👀).
Sippity sip! 🍍🥂 The pineapple mimosa was an absolute brunch MVP. The balance? Chef’s kiss. Not too juicy, not too bubbly—it let that champagne shine through like the star she is.
Now for the food (get ready to drool):
The cinnamon roll came out warm and cozy like a morning hug. The frosting was dreamy, though I wished it gave a little more love to the whole roll (spread the sweetness, ya know?).
Shrimp & grits? YES PLEASE. The shrimp were plump little flavor bombs, and the grits? Creamy heaven with the kind of texture that says “I know what I’m doing.” And they were purple have you had purple grits before? I haven't lol
Chicken & waffles brought the crunch and the comfort. That waffle? Light, flaky, and had a hint of vanilla that made me swoon. The chicken was piping hot (like, fresh out the fryer hot🔥), and the skin was a flavor party! The white meat was juicy and I am not a white meat girly but was totally delish.
Avocado toast had me feeling like a wellness queen 👑🥑. The avo was fresh and luscious, and those chili flakes on top? A spicy little wink.
And last but ABSOLUTELY not least... The STAR TO ME-
THE PANCAKES. OMG. Fluffy. Buttery. Blueberry-studded bliss. The texture was dreamy, and the whipped butter was just the right kind of sweet—like a cozy cloud. 10/10 would order again and again. Total brunch icon status! I thought about theses pancakes all day!
This place is officially on my brunch with the girls list! Cute vibes, great service, and a menu that hits allll the right notes. Grab your brunch crew and GO!!!!
Had the most incredible brunch at Etc. The service was impeccable, cocktails were expertly made, and the food; each dish better than the next. Loved literally every bite we had.
Biscuits and Cinnamon Roll were each some of the best I've ever had. Salmon croquettes were delicious and generous, barely any breading. The chicken and waffles was incredible, and the shrimp and grits were unlike any I've ever had. We can't wait to come back for dinner.
Everything was delicious, especially the tartare and I had an amazing Tempranillo
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